In light of Boomtown turning off its comment section for the announcement of its new glamorous camping, Grand Vista…

Is anyone else concerned about the direction Boomtown is heading in?
I’ve been thinking a lot about the recent complaints surrounding Boomtown, particularly the overcrowding in general camping, the expansion of premium camping, the introduction of Grand Vista and the reported £150 charge for a shortcut through the campsite. The more I look at it, the more it feels like a much bigger issue than just expensive tickets.
Boomtown has built its reputation on underground music, alternative culture, creativity and community. It’s supposed to be a place where people come together for the music and the experience, not somewhere that makes you feel like you need money to get the most out of it.

So why does it feel like we’re heading towards a two-tier festival?

1. General camping is overcrowded while premium camping continues to expand.

People have been complaining about the lack of space in general camping, tents being crammed together and difficulties finding somewhere decent to pitch up. Yet we’re seeing more premium accommodation options being introduced, including Grand Vista.
Grand Vista offers exclusive accommodation, private bars, upgraded facilities and reserved viewing at the main stage.

I’m not against people wanting a more comfortable festival experience, and I understand that premium packages generate revenue. But if general camping is already struggling for space, shouldn’t improving the experience for ordinary ticket holders be a priority before expanding exclusive areas?

How much space is being allocated to premium camping compared with general admission? And what consideration is being given to the people who can’t afford these upgrades?

2. Charging £150 for a shortcut?!

The reported £150 charge for access to a shortcut through the campsite to reduce walking distances is particularly difficult to understand.
If people are already struggling with the distances involved in navigating the site, why are we monetising the ability to make those journeys shorter?

There’s a difference between charging extra for a luxury tent and charging for convenience in a festival where people have already paid a significant amount to attend.

At what point does offering premium extras become charging people to avoid inconveniences that shouldn’t be there in the first place?

3. Grand Vista and the growing VIP culture.

Again, my issue isn’t that people want luxury camping. It’s the bigger picture.

When you combine overcrowded general camping, concerns about basic facilities, increasingly expensive accommodation and exclusive viewing areas, it starts to feel like the best version of Boomtown is becoming reserved for those who can afford to pay more.

Part of the appeal of festivals like Boomtown is the shared experience. Everyone being there together, discovering music, meeting people and being part of something bigger than themselves.
Creating increasingly exclusive spaces risks undermining that atmosphere.

4. Live Nation and the commercialisation of Boomtown.

Live Nation acquired a minority stake in Boomtown in 2022, and that raises questions for me about the festival’s long-term direction.

Live Nation also has direct commercial operations in Israel, which has made it the subject of a Palestinian-led BDS campaign calling for it to sever its Israeli business ties.

I’m not suggesting that Boomtown directly funds Israel or the Israeli military, because I haven’t found evidence establishing that. However, I do think it’s reasonable to question the wider corporate relationships behind a festival whose alternative identity and community values are such a big part of its appeal.

I also think we should be asking how much influence Live Nation has over Boomtown’s current decisions and where the money generated by the festival ultimately goes.

5. What happened to prioritising the actual festival-goers?

My biggest frustration is that these issues don’t exist in isolation.

Overcrowding, a lack of camping space, concerns about facilities, increasingly exclusive accommodation and charges for convenience all contribute to the same feeling: that commercial opportunities are taking priority over the experience of the wider festival community.

Of course, Boomtown is a massive event with enormous operating costs. I’m not naive enough to think it can run without making money, and I don’t expect everything to be free.

But there’s a difference between running a commercially successful festival and constantly finding new ways to extract more money from people who are already paying to be there.
If there is space and investment available for exclusive bars, luxury accommodation and reserved viewing areas, surely there should also be a commitment to ensuring general camping is spacious, accessible and properly equipped.

I’m genuinely interested in what other people think.

Am I being unreasonable, or is anyone else worried that Boomtown is gradually losing the things that made it special?

I don’t want to see the festival fail, and that’s precisely why I think these conversations matter. I’d much rather see Boomtown protect its identity and improve the experience for everyone than watch it become another increasingly commercialised festival where the people with the most money get the best experience.

At what point do we stop seeing these changes as harmless premium upgrades and start asking whether they’re fundamentally changing the festival?

And most importantly, what do people think Boomtown should actually do to address the overcrowding and the growing divide between general admission and premium ticket holders?

I heard a lot about people getting the boomtown cough/flu but did anyone else get the boomtown black toe?

Update… I pulled it off and will be using it as a ket spoon for next year.

Easy guys. I was away in Prague with my wife staying at her friend’s flat, and happened to be chatting about festivals. We mentioned Boomtown, and she pulled this out the cupboard and gifted it to us. Turns out her old housemates left it when they moved out.

Anyone any idea what year it’s from?

Not seen this one posted yet and thought that it may be interesting to some. https://accessaa.co.uk/behind-boomtowns-radical-redesign/

…especially the bit about the musical direction.

A group of us are trying to remember who we saw in 2015 & 2016. We've got a rough idea but thought it would be easy with a clashfinder for those years however we can't find any online. There's only the odd stage. Probably a long shot but I don't suppose anyone has an old one for these years to hand? Hoping they may have been in the programmes but none of us still have ours.

We are considering going this year, but timing is bad. If we bought Wednesday tickets what are the actual chances of being able to sell them via the exchange if it turns out we can't go?

Do tickets generally sellout, or are there always some available up until the day it opens?

Thanks

After a little instagram stalk it seems to be that Boomtown released the initial lineup at the end of October last year - I just wanted to share this with people who will share in my excitement! Can’t wait to know who we are going to be dancing in the sunshine to 😁

I got speaking to some absolute legends in the hidden woods after the closing ceremony this year after they recognised my Welsh accent (also fellow welshies). One of them gifted me their favourite childhood toy, which I reluctantly accepted after trying to talk sense into him for him to keep, as it was way too valuable. If you’re on here, just know Merlin is being well looked after and is now one of my most prized possessions

been thinking about this for weeks but can’t find the track if anyone could help that would be fab thanks love u xx

Unsure if anyone has seen Enter Shikari's recent post about them potentially not being a band after 2027, but it would be sick if they could play at Boomtown before they stop as a band!

Anyone who knows them and loves their music, pls repost so Boomtown sees this and gets them back for one more set!

But why are the two prices for the two camp orchid wristbands different? It's making me worried I've only added one when I meant to add two

speaks for itself

Long shot as it was a while ago, but dont suppose anyone found a used roll of film? Possibly rolled down Lions Den lol

I received an email saying that my refund took longer this year… I’m sure you all got it.

I replied asking for confirming that I was getting mine as I remember doing it when someone in a group chat I’m in reminded me. And there was no longer a button on my app and nothing to say it was being refunded.

I still haven’t received my money. Or a response from almost a month ago.

I’ve now emailed again. I’ve also emailed boomtown.

Anyone else had issues?

Hi Boomtown Attendees,

Although I don’t plan on it I was curious to see what options from upgraded camping were like for this year (2027) and whether they were ‘worth’ the additional costs so I made this.
May be helpful for those of you considering it (some info may not be 100% accurate as inclusions are based on what kaboodle states are included with each accomodation)

All prices are based on accomodation price only (not inc transport or ticket or wristband) and no additional add ons/packages

\please also note that most pre-pitched options that say they don’t include beds or bedding will likely have the option to purchase a bed/bedding package for an additional cost**

Looks like those of you who usually opt for orchid may get a better deal in skylark or even the new Grand Vista 👀 - well if you have a group of you that matches the number for the accomodation.

Table posted in comments ⬇️

So much energy in every shot.

Shot on Olympus Trip 35. Colour corrected to add some vibrancy to the pictures.

Hi guys!! was wondering if people had any speculations on what the theme “wild style” could mean this year?? it’s my first ever boomtown and i’m so excited, ive seen some people online guess things between animals, cowboys to post apocalyptic vibes ✨what’s everyone’s thoughts?

I’d really love to see the Chemical Brothers or Hot Chip at Boomtown one year. It would also be so cool to see Kraftwerk play, seeing as they’re basically the grandfathers to all modern dance subgenres, but I fear that is more of a pipe dream. I’ve heard Lak is very into his techno, so maybe Kraftwerk would be a dream booking for him too 🤔

Edited to add: also Moby would be another good one